Leopold eichelbeeg



(No Model.)

L. BICHELBERG.

COFFIN.

Patented Jan. 6, 1885.

Diarree Srnrns Partnr* innen.

LEOPOLD EIOHELBERG, OF HEIDELBERG, GERMANY.

COFFIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,262, dated January 6, 1885.

Application filed September 29, 18S-1. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.:

Be it known that l, LEOPOLD EICHELBERG, a citizen of the Empire of Germany, and residing at Heidelberg, in said Empire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ooffins, of which the following` is a specifica tion, reference being had to thel accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to air-tight eofns, which are constructed with a view of rendering them impermeable to air and moisture.

The invention consists in a coffin the framework of the body or cover of which is composed of an angle-iron rim and an attached basket-like structure of interlaced or woven wires, the interstices of which are closed by interlaced strips of paper,and rendered watertight and air-tight by means of a water-proof material or composition applied in a liquid state, as hereinafter described.

Figure lis a transverse vertical sectional view of a coffin embodying my invention, a part of the lining being broken away to illustrate the construction of the skeleton of this coffin. Fig. 2 is a sectional view representing a part of Fig. l on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is another sectional View illustrating a modification of the part of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures.

The upper edge of the body of the coffin (shown in Figs. l and 2) consists ofan angleiron, D, extending` around the whole upper edge of the body of the coffin. The vertical flange of this angle-iron has a series of holes, c3, extending entirely around the coffin at suitable distances apart. The frame-work of the body of the coffin consists of the said angleiron and the wires c b, interlaeing each other, so as to form a net-Work or basket-like structnre. The ends of the Wires a are secured in the holes c of the angle-iron D, as illustrated at a ai of Fig. 2. Between the meshes of this Wire net-work or basket are interlaced a series of strips of tarred paper, c, (illustrated at G of Fig. 1,) and so closely Woven that grains of coarse sand will not pass through the meshes of the fabric. This basket-like structure may vloe made of any desired and suitable form,

both in longitudinal and cross section, and of any size adapted to the reception of a corpse.

' The inside of this structure is painted with a water-proof material or composition, which may consist of a mixture of coal-tar, pitch, and asphaltum, which is laid on hot. Before this hardens, and while it is yet adhesive, a covering of strong paper, d, is laid on it. This paper must exactly conform to the shape of the interior of the coffin, so that all parts of it Will adhere firmly to the Water-proof coating. Upon this is laid another coat of Waterproof material and another layer of paper, e. This may be continued until a sufficient thickness is obtained. This paper covering extends over and around the edge of the angle-iron, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The exterior of the structure is then covered in the same Way with the water-proof coatings and papers f g until a sufficient thickness is-obtained.' The cover of the coffin is constructed in the same way, taking care to adapt the angle-iron forming its edge so that its horizontal face will conform to and lie closely and neatly upon the horizontal face' of the angle-iron forming the edge ofthe body. As a general thing the cover need not be so strong nor have so many layers of paper and Waterproof material as the body.

The cover and the body of the coffin maybe secured together in any suitable manner, care being taken that the tivo horizontal faces of the angle-iron shall coincide all round. In the horizontal flanges of the cover and of the body are represented corresponding holes which receive the bolts F. Other holes may be provided 'in the flange of the body to accommodate the handles. in the better class of coiiins the angle-iron and the wire may be coated with zinc or copper, and the coffin may be provided with handles and other ornamental ttings. In the more common and cheaper class of coffins the angle-iron and the wire meshes will only be protected by a coat of the above-described waterproof material. As the covering-papers are laid over the adjacent horizontal faces of the angle-irons,they afford the means of making a perfectly air tight joint when the two 'parts of the coffin are bolted together. The size of Wire used in the .construction of this cofn Will depend upon the size of the cotn and the pressure to Which it will be subjected in the grave. As the Wire is permanently covered by and securely held between the layers of paper and the coats of IOO water-proof inaterial, it needs nothing further to protect it from oxidation.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modification ot' my invention,in which a band, D', inadeof bar-iron, is securely fastened with rivets o' to the perpendicular inner face of the angle-iron D,and the ends ofthe interlacing wires a, instead of passing through holes in the angle-iron D, are secured by being bent partly between the angle-iron D and the band D', and by beingbent partly over the band D', as illustrated at a of said Fig. 3. Otherwise the construction is the saine as that above described.

The advantages possessed by this coffin over Wooden cotlins now in use are that it is almost indestructible when in the earth, that it is capable of being closed air-tight, and so preventing the escape of offensive odor from the corpse, and that, as moisture is prevented from entering the coffin, so there can nothing leak out of the coffin to poison the soil in which it is deposited.

It is much cheaper and lighter than the airtight inetallic'collins now in use.

Vhat I claim as niy invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the angle-iron D, the interlaced or woven wires a b, the interlaced paper strips c, the paper covering d ef g, and the interposed water-proof material, subst-antially as herein described.v

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the prese-nee of two subscribing Witnesses.

LEOPOLD EIGHELBERG.

\Vitnesses z Jol-IAN S'ronrnon, BERNHARD HERLIG. 

